Valve reset mechanism



Sept. 23, 1941.

w. A. RAY 2,257,024

VALVE RESET MECHANISM Filed March 20, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l @Y v/v ATTOIQNEY sept. 23, 1941. w. A. RAY 2,257,024

VALVE RESET MECHANISM Filed'March 2O,` 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTOKNEY Patented Sept. 23, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VALVE RESET` MECHANISM William A. Ray, Glendale, Calif.

Application March 20, 1940, Serial No. A324,987

(ci. 15s-117.1)

7 Claims.

pilot burner is lit.` The force for holding the valve in open position may be provided by an electro-magnet, adapted to be energized by the aid of a thermocouple generator influenced by the pilot llame. Assuming that the pilot ame be accidentally extinguished, the electromagnet is deenergized, and a spring or gravity closes the valve. Thereafter,v and until the valve is reset', the opening of the main gas cockv is ineffective to pass fuel tothe burner.

The process of resetting the automatic cut-o` valve usually involves a temporary opening thereof, and lighting of the pilot while the valve is so held. Such temporary opening may be effected by manual means or otherwise. As soon as the pilot flame is effective to maintain the valve open, the reset mechanism may be released. Thereafter, as desired, the main gas cock, interposed between the automatic valve and the burner, may be turned on and off. The pilot flame serves to ignite the fuel passing through the main burner, whenever the cock is opened.

A system of this general character is described in application Serial No. 319,735, filed February 19, 1940, in the name of William A. Ray and entitled: Fluid control valve."

It is one of the objects of this invention to improve and simplify the operation of a system of this character.

In utilizing a reset mechanism, it is advantageous to ensure that the main fuel burner be shut off, so that the pilot burner only is ignited While the actuator is/th'us held in its extreme' cock closing position, the pilot flame can be lit; thereafter a release of the Vactuator automatically removes the -resetting'force operating on the automatic valve without movingthe plug of f of fuel.

the main valve. The system is now ready for the usual mode of operation. A

It is accordingly another object of this invention to provide suitable mechanism interposed between the plug of the main fuel cock and the automatic shut-oil.' valve, that ensures that the proper sequence of resetting be effected, without the necessity of rotating the plug valve from its closed position.

This invention possesses many tages, and has other objects which may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of one embodiment of the' invention. For this purpose there is shown a form in the drawings accompanying and `forming part of the present specification. This form will 'now be described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of this invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings;

Figure 1 is a view, mainly in section, of an installation incorporating the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 1

but showing another position of the apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus i1- lustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is ,a sectional view taken along the plane 4-4 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view taken along plane 5 5 of Fig. 1.

The installation includes a main fuel valve structure I, shown as coupled -to a fuel conduit 2 adapted to supply gaseous or liquid fuel to a burner. An automatic safety cut-oil.' valve structure 3 is also interposed in the path of the ow This is accomplished for example by couplin'g the shut-olf valve body 4 directly to a nipple 5 of the main valve I. The fuel supply pipe 6 is similarly coupled to the opposite end of the body 4.

It is apparent that when the automatic shut-4 off valve 3 operates, no fuel can be Adelivered through the main valve I. The valve 3, however,

is so arranged that it may be retained in its open position, placing the control of the flow of uid 'entirely in the' main valve I.

'I'he main valve I is shown as of the rotary tal pered plug type.- For example it is shownV as provided with a downwardly tapered rotatable plug 1 firmly seated within a cooperating conical seat 8 formed in the valve body 9. In the position shown in Fig. 1, the plug 1 is in open posi tion, the diametric aperture I0 of the plug 1 beother advann ing in alineme'nt with the inlet ports I`I and I2 of the body 9. The plug 1 is securely seated on its seat 8 for substantially uid tight operation as by the'aid of a compressionspring I3. This compression spring is shown as disposed. around a post I4 fastened to the lower end of the plug 1. A stopcollar I5 on post I4 serves to engage the lower free-end of the spring I3. The upper end of the spring I3 abuts against a stop plate I6 (Figs. 1, 2 and 5) which is firmly secured to the post I4.A The pressure exerted by the spring I3 against the collar I5 is such as to urge the plug 1 securely into its seat; and a substantial forcei. required to rotate the plug from the position of Fig. 1 to the closed position of Fig. 2.

In the present instance the angular movement of the plug 1 is limited to 90, as illustrated most clearly in Fig. 5. Thus the body 9 has a depending lug I1 forming an abutment for the shoulders I8 and I9 on the stop plate I6. The particular manner by the aid of which the plug 1 may be manually or otherwise rotatedbetween its open and closed position will be described hereinafter.

The body 4 of the automatic shut-off valve 3 is shown as provided with an inlet chamber 26 and an outlet chamber 2|. These two chambers are separated by a wall or partition 22 through which there is a valve port 23. Operating as a valve closure cooperating with the raised annular valve seat 24 is a closure structure 25. This clovsure structure includes a valve closure proper 26 which may be made of some suitable yielding material, such as Neoprene. Below the closure 26 may be a ilberspacer member 21 which rests against the upper surface of a flexible diaphragm 28. The closure structure is held securely to the aid of a iiat head screw 29. This at head screw passesthrough a magnetic member or armature bar 30, and upwardly through 'the spacer 21 and the closure 26. A washer 3I may be disposed on top of the closure 26 and a nut 32 serves to hold the assembly together.

The edge of the diaphragm 28 is appropriately held in place by the ange 33 provided on a sheet metal housing 34; through this flange, fastening screws 90 may pass. This housing 34 has its interior in communication with the inlet chamber 28, as by the aid of an opening in the dia- -phragm 28. The opening may be conveniently formed by the aid of a metal grommet 35, which if desired may be provided with a screen for straining the fluid passing from the inlet chamber 20 through thegrommet 35.

The pressure of the incoming fluid in chamber 20 is thus communicated to the lower side of the diaphragm 28 and is effective to urge the closure 26 against its seat.

Provisions are -made for maintaining the diaphragm 28 in the open position of Fig. 2 against the pressure of the fluid. For this purpose use is made of an electromagnet 36 supported in the housing 34. This electromagnet is shown' as hav- -ing .a p'air of magnetic poles 31 adapted to cooperate with the magnetic amature bar 36 attached to the lower side of the ydiaphragm 28. Thus when there is a suilicient current ilow in the electromagnet 30 by the aid oi a circuit connecting to the binding posts 38, the closure structure, when moved downwardly against the poles 31, is

retained in the open position of Fig. 2.

The current supply for the electromagnet 36 is usually provided by the aid of thermocouple generator structure 39 (Fig. 1). This thermo- -central portion of the diaphragm 28 as by the couple structure is appropriately supported by the aid of a pilot burner structure 40, and is adapted tobe influenced by the pilot llame 4I. The pilot burner 46 is shown in this instance as being connected by a pipe connection 42 to a port g3 leading into the outlet chamber 2l (Figs. 1 and valve 3 is closed as in Fig. 1, the passage of fuel to the pilot burner 48 is also interrupted. However, the shut-off valve body 4 may be provided with a supplemental boss 44 (Fig. 3) which may be bored throughV to form an opening into the inlet chamber 20, whereby the supply of fuel to the pilot burner may be independent of the operation oi' the automatic shut-on? valve.

The arrangement is such that when the pilot burner flame 4I is extinguished, the electromagnet 35 will release" the armature 30, and under spring pressure the valve closure 36 is lifted to the position of Fig. 1. For this purpose a tension spring 45 may be utilized.- 'I'he lower end of this tension spring is anchored to the screw 29, and its upper end is anchored to a rod 46 which is normally in the position of Fig. 1, the spring 45 then being under tension to operate the valve closure 26.

The rod'46 has a collar 41 and is provided with an upwardly extending 'part 48. This part 48 is guided within a wall 49 of a guide member 50. This guide member is threaded at its lower end within a boss 5I integral with the body 4. If desired, a yielding packing washer 52 may be interposed between the collar 41 and the bottom surface of the guide wall 49. The rod 46 is urged upwardly by the aid of a compression spring 53. This compression spring 53 is made strong enough so that the rod 46 is maintained in the position of Fig. 1, whenever the rod 46 is released, and in spite of the tension that may be placed upon the tension spring 45.

In order to reset the shut-oil from the closed position of Fig. 1, the rod 46 may be urged downwardly, compressing the spring 53 and causing engagement of the lower end of the rod 46 with the,v upper end`of the screw 29. This resetting position is illustrated in Fig. 2, the rod 46 having been depressed so as to urge the closure 26 away from the seat 24. For conveniently performing this resetting operation, the upper end of the rod 48 may be provided with a push button 56, anchored to the threaded upper end of this rod. The push button 56 may conveniently be provided with a downwardly extending ange '51. for the accommodation of the upper end of the compression spring 53. The stroke of the rod 46 is such that it can urge the armature 30 into contact with the pole pieces 31.

The operation of resetting the valve 3 to cause the valve 3 to open involves a depression of the button 56, and holding the button depressed while igniting the flame 4I of the pilot burner 48. When the flame is ignited a sufcient current is generated by thermocouple 39 shortly thereafter to retain the armature 30 in the attracted position oi' Fig. 2. Thereupon the button 56 may be released and the automatic shut-ofi valve will be maintained in open position. The rod 46 is urged to the position of Fig. 1 under the force of spring 53; and tension spring 45 is elongated by the opposing forces of the compression spring 53 and of the electromagnet 36. Should the pilot flame 4I be extinguished for any reason, the tension of spring 45 is sumcient to pull the valve closure 26 into the closed position of Fig. 1.

The process of igniting the pilot flame should.

Accordingly when the automatic shut-ot!l be accomplished while no iuel is passing to the main burner. In other words, the main valve I should be in closed position. By the aid of mechanism interposed between the valves I and 3, this 1, and by the aid of a through anchor pin 68 extending through the ange 58.

The upperend of the plug 1 also carries a detachable head 6| presenting a plane top surface.

vThis connection may be obtained by a screw thread 9|. The member 58 is adapted to be rotated by the aid of an actuating member 62. This actuating member 62 has an arcuate cutaway portion 63 dened by the iiat shoulders or abutments 64 and 65 (Fig. 3). YA projection 66 extends upwardly from the edge ofthe member 58 to be in the path of the shoulders 64 and 65. Referring more particularly to Fig. 3, rota- 'tion of Vthe actuator 62 in a clockwise direction will ultimately cause engagement of the abutment 64 with the projection 66. Duringl this pe- `riod the main valve I is closed. Upon continued rotation of the actuator 62, the' abutment 64 exerts a force on the projection 66, sufiicfent to turn the plug 1 from the position of Fig. 1 to the position of Fig. 2. There is thus a restricted freedom of motion of the actuator 62 with respect to the member 58.

Manual means may be provided for rotating the actuator 62 in this manner. This may be accomplished by the aid of a key member 61, which may be of any convenient length for manual operation and which may be provided with a handle 68. The lower end of the key member 61 is shown as provided with a square key 69 adapted to interiit a corresponding aperture through a yokeV 18. The lower ends of the yoke legs 1| and 12 (Fig. 4) are securely attached to the actuator 62.

The actuators 62 as well. as the member 58 are rotatably supported with respect to. each other for relative coaxial movement. For this purpose use may be made of the ball bearings 13, appropriately disposed in races formed respectively on the member 68 and actuator 62.

Thrust ball bearings 14 may also be interposed between the top of the actuator 62 and the overhanging ange 15 of the head 6|. This overhanging flange 15 forms one ball race and the upper surface of actuator 62 is provided with a corresponding lower ball race between which the balls v'I4 may be placed.

As shown most clearly in Fig. 3, springs 16 and 11 may be interposed between the member 58 and the actuator 62 tending to pull the actuator 62 to the position of Fig. 3. This normally causes the shoulder or abutment 65 to abut one side of the projection 66.

To form convenient anchors for the springs -16 and 11, the member 58 as well as the actuator 62 are provided with cutout portions 18 and` the roller |`8|.

by the compression -spring I3. Accordingly the actuator 62 must iirst be rotated through a small angle before abutment 64 is effective on abutment 66 for exerting a suiiicient torque to move the plug 1.

The arrangement is such that the movement of the actuator 62 to the valve closing position of Fig. 2 will cause depression of the reset button 66 at the end of the closing movement. The manner in which this is accomplished will now be described.

A lever arm 88 is shown as pivotally mounted upon apin 8| as by the aid of the depending sides 82 of the arm 88. The pin 8| is accommodated in the ears 83 formed on a bracket 84 mounted on the top of the valve body 4. This arm 88 carries near its free extremity a contact button 85 in cooperative relation with the reset button 56. This contact button 85 is lshown as integral with stud 86, passing through the arm 88. Interposed between the button -85 and the bottom of the arm 88 is a strong compression spring 81. The distance between the button 85 and the arm .88,may be adjusted as by the aid of the nuts 88 threaded `on the upper end of the stud 88.

When the arm' 88 is tilted rin a counterclockwise direction, the button 85 engages the top the event that this movement of the arm 88 is more than sufficient to place an armature 38 into contact with the poles 31 of the electromagnet 36, the excess movement is taken up by compression of the spring 81, without danger of the creation of an excessive forceagainst the electromagnet poles.

The tilting movement of the resetting arm 88 is provided by the aid of a crown cam 88 carried by the actuator 62. ,This crown 89 has a sloping cam surface |88 (Fig. 1). It is'so arranged adjacent the periphery of the actuator 62 that it engages a roller |8| operating as a cam follower. This roller |8| is rotatably mounted on the arm. 88 as by the aid of the depending arms 82 and 93 (Figs. 1 and 2). Furthermore, the angular position of the cam 88 adjacent the edge of actuator 62 is such that it is active only at the end of the valve closing movement of the member 58. The actuator 62 may be held in this valve closing position by key member 61 for maintaining the cam 89 in the resetting position of Fig. 2 until the pilot burner ame 4| becomes effective. Thereupon the force exerted upon the key member 61 may be removed. Thereupon springs 16 and 'I1 become eiective to rotate the actuator 62 in a counterclockwlse direction, freeing cam 89' from This counterclockwise rotation is stopped by the engagement. of an abutment 65 with theprojection 66.

The automatic shut-olf valve 3 is thus opened and remains open while the pilot ame 4I is lit. In the meanwhile the plug 1 of the main valve may be rotated toclosed or open position without interference with the 'operation `of the automatic shut-off valve 3. To open the valve from the closed position of Fig. 2, the actuator 62 is turned in a counterclockwise direction until the plug 1 assumes the position of Fig. 1. The torque thus exerted on. the actuator 62 is eective through the abutment 65 and the projectoward the seat by a considerable force exerted tion 66. Thereafter, if for any reason the pilot flame 4I should be extinguished, the reset operation is effective immediately upon closing the main valve i. The reset mechanism thus temporarily holds the automatic shut-off valve 3 open as long as the key member 61 ls held in its extreme valve closing position. The lreset button 56 is released thereafter automatically, and without the necessity of reversely rotating the plug 1.

What is claimed is:

l. In a fuel supply system having amain fuel rot/ary plug valve for passing fuel to a burner, as well as a separate automatic shut-oil.' valve, said shut-o valve having a mechanical reset for temporarily opening the shut-oil' valve, and the plug being rotatable through an angle for opening and closing the main fuel valve, means for rotating the plug of the main valve, between open and closed positions of the plug, and mechanism operated by said means at the end of the closing movement of the plug for operating the reset, including means having limited freedom of motion with respect to the plug, for releasing the reset while the plug is maintained stationary.

2. In a fuel supply system having a main fuel rotary plug valve for passing fuel to a burner, as well as a separate automatic shut-oil valve, said shut-oil' valve having a mechanical reset for temporarily opening the shut-off valve, and the plug being rotatable through an angle for opening and closing the main fuel valve, and means for'rotating the plug of the main valve to close the main valve as well as for operating the reset, including a member attached tothe plug, an actuating means coaxial with the plug and having limited freedom of motion' with respect to the member in valve closing direction, for engaging the member and thereby rotating the plug, and means carried by the actuating means for engaging the reset mechanism at the end of the plug movement.

3. In a fuel supply system having a main fuel rotary plug valve for passing fuel to a burner, as well as a separate automatic shut-off valve, said shut-off valve having a mechanical reset for temporarily opening the shut-oil valve, and the plug being rotatable through an angle for opening and closing the main fuel valve, and means for rotating the plug of the main valve to close the main valve as well as for operating the reset, including a member attached to the plug, and an actuating means coaxial with the plug and having limited freedom of motion with respect to the member in valve closing direction, for engaging the member and thereby rotating the plug, means carried by the actuating means for engaging the reset mechanism at the end 0f the plug movement, and means for resiliently rotating said actuating means in a direction to release the reset mechanism when the actuating means is released.

' 4. In a fuel supply system having a main fuel rotary plug valve for passing fuel to a burner, as well as a separateautomatic shut-off valve, said shut-off valvehaving a mechanical reset for temporarily opening the shut-olf valve and the plug being rotatable through an angle for opening and closing the main fuel valve, a member attached to the plug, said member having a projection for application of a force to rotate said member, a rotatable `actuating means disposed coaxially with the plug and having iL-utments adapted upon rotation of the actuating means to engage said projection for applying an opening or a closing force to the member, there being substantial free angular movement of the actuating means between engaging positions of the abutments, said actuating means carrying a reset operating part, and spring means interposed between. the member and the actuating means for urging that abutment of the said actuating means intoengagement with the projection, which can apply an opening force to the member, the freedom of angular motion of the actuating means as defined by the abutments being sufficient to cause the reset operating part to be rendered inactive upon operation of the resilient means to move the said abutment to the projection.

5. In a fuel lsupply system having a main fuel valve.` for passing fuel to a burner, as well as a separate automatic shut-oil' valve, said shut-oi! valvel having a mechanical reset for temporarily opening the' shut-0H valve, said main valve having a closure movable vthrough a distance for opening and closing the main valve, means for moving said closure betweenits open and closed positions, and mechanism operated by said means at the end of the closing movement of the closure for operating the reset, including means having limited'freedom of motion with respect to the closure, for releasing the reset while the closure is maintained stationary.

6. In a fuel supply system having a main fuel valve for passing fuel to a burner, as well as a separate automatic shut-off valve, said shut-on valve having a mechanical reset for temporarily opening the shut-off valve, said main valve having a. .closure movable through a distance for opening and closing the main valve, and means for moving the closure to close the main valve, as well as for operating the reset, including a member attached to the closure, and an actuating means for the member having limited free-.-

dom of motion with respect to the member in valve closing direction, without impressing any closing force on the closure, said actuating means .adapted to engage the member 'and thereby move the closure, and means carried by the actuating means for engaging the reset mechanism at the end of the closure movement.

7. In a fuel supply system having a main fuel valve for passing fuel to a burner, as well as a separate automatic shut-ofi' valve, said shut-ofi.' valve having a mechanical reset for temporarily opening the shut-off valve, said main valve h'aving a closure movable through a distance for opening and closing the main valve, and means for moving the closure to close the main valve, as well as for .operating the reset, including a member attached to the closure, and an actuating means for the member having limited freedom of motion with respect to the member in valve closing direction, without impressing any closing force on the closure, said actuating means adapted to engage the member and thereby move the closure means carried by the actuating means for engaging the reset mechanism at the `enel of the closure movement, and means for reactuating means is released.

WILLIAM A. RAY. 

